TRANSIT SIGNAL PRIORITY The Toronto Experience July 27, 2004 July 27, 2004 1
Warning This presentation contains graphic images depicting serious violations to the coordination of traffic signals and may not be suitable for some members of the audience July 27, 2004 2
City of Toronto Largest Canadian City 2.5 million people 632km 2 (244mi 2 ) July 27, 2004 3
Transit in Toronto GO Transit Interregional Heavy Rail Bus TTC Local (24-hour) Subway (3 lines) ICTS (1 line) Streetcar (11 routes) Bus (138 routes) Paratransit 405 million annual trips July 27, 2004 4
In a nut shell Over 14 years signal priority experience Over 155 equipped intersections on streetcar routes Over 115 equipped intersections on bus routes Aggressive expansion plan July 27, 2004 5
The Beginning 6-intersection demonstration on a streetcar route in 1990 track switching equipment used for detection controller pre-empt functions simple algorithms July 27, 2004 6
Study Conclusions 5 to 9 seconds of two-way delay reduction at each intersection Up to 20% transit travel time reductions Other traffic not significantly affected Detection system proved effective July 27, 2004 7
Study Recommendations Priority be considered for application throughout the streetcar network Implement one route at a time Investigate cheaper streetcar detection system Improve priority algorithm July 27, 2004 8
Streetcar Detection System Use onboard RF track switching transmitters RFP for wayside check-in/check-out receiver July 27, 2004 9
Detection System Loop based vehicle to wayside communication Overhead wire or spread spectrum radio wayside to controller communication July 27, 2004 10
Algorithm Enhancements Detect different directions separately Design for 14-second extension Allow 30-second maximum extension Side-street truncation to minimum green Transit callable/extendable phases Transit only phases Use offset recovery routine for additional priority or for cross street compensation July 27, 2004 11
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Controller Functions for Priority Pre-empt functions used for extensions and truncations Normal controller functions used for transit callable and transit only phases Offset recovery used to provide additional passive priority July 27, 2004 13
Impacts on Normal Signal Streetcars have considerable control of the signal operation Co-ordination - not an issue on most streetcar routes all traffic on approach must stop for passenger boarding/alighting Operation July 27, 2004 14
TTC/City Signal Priority Negotiations July 27, 2004 15
Why So Much Control? Transit - Very important component of Toronto s transportation system Priority equipped streetcar routes provide very frequent service (2 to 5-minute peak period frequencies) carry large number of passengers (31,000 to 52,000 passengers a day) high transit modal split July 27, 2004 16
Business Case for Signal Priority Payback less than 5 years $15,000 to $25,000 per intersection 12 to 16 seconds saved $500,000 to $850,000 per route 7 to 11 minutes saved 1 to 2 fewer streetcars required $200,000 plus annual operating cost savings Faster transit service July 27, 2004 17
Streetcar Priority Applications Over 155 intersections equipped 7 streetcar routes 10 fewer streetcars Over $1 million a year in operating costs saved July 27, 2004 18
Expansion to Buses 10-intersection demonstration in 1997 enhanced algorithms infrared based vehicle to wayside communication spread spectrum radio wayside to controller communication July 27, 2004 19
Bus Demonstration Conclusions Transit delay decreased up to 46% Auto delay decreased marginally Cross street traffic not significantly affected Bus detection system reliability problems reflection of signal missed detection (alignment problems) July 27, 2004 20
Bus Demonstration Study Recommendations Implement priority on 29 Dufferin bus route to confirm benefits Use loop based bus detection less expensive equip bus division with RF transmitters Develop long term expansion plan identify and prioritize candidate routes July 27, 2004 21
29 Dufferin Installation (1998) 33 intersections equipped Benefits confirmed 2 buses saved $235,000 operating costs saved annually Other traffic not significantly affected July 27, 2004 22
Impacts to Normal Signal Control of traffic signals same as streetcars Impacts on signal coordination raised as an issue Discussions on the effectiveness of coordination Operation July 27, 2004 23
Perspectives on Co-ordination Signal co-ordination is an important tool in reducing signal delay and optimising road operations Signal co-ordination is an outdated tool with few applications in today s environment July 27, 2004 24
TTC Perspective on Co-ordination Effective in minimising vehicular delays One way streets Arterial roads with highly tidal flows Effective in minimising overall person delays in very limited circumstances only if transit modal split is low July 27, 2004 25
Toronto Environment Very few one-way arterial roads Opposing Traffic flows are equalising High transit usage few vehicles carrying large numbers of passengers different travel time characteristics from autos July 27, 2004 26
Toronto s Official Plan 540,000 new residents 540,000 new jobs Additional travel demand focused on transit new road capacity is prohibitively expensive community opposition to new roads existing infrastructure utilised more efficiently more transit signal priority more dedicated transit lanes July 27, 2004 27
Bus Priority Applications (to date) Over 115 intersections equipped 3 bus routes 1 route reduced running time and 2 fewer buses one route same or more running time one route not yet activated Differences on transit operation philosophies within TTC Program suspended for 2 years July 27, 2004 28
Conflicting Goals New route management strategy enough running time to complete every trip all running time should be drive time (no recovery time) Buses without/broken transmitters assigned to priority equipped routes 20% of buses not equipped, 10% broken transmitter repair a low priority July 27, 2004 29
What s next? Continuing to equip buses with transmitters Operations Department is reviewing the route management strategy Equipment staff have been asked to ensure transmitters working Restart program in 2004 (1 route a year) Expand program 50% starting in 2005 July 27, 2004 30
Longer Term Objectives Test new algorithm for major intersections Migrate to new traffic signal control system Test transit signal priority within SCOOT Provide priority only to late vehicles during periods of less frequent service AVLC system accuracy improved July 27, 2004 32
Transit Goals Maximise transit benefits of signal priority opportunities improve service reduce operating costs improve competitiveness of transit encourage more transit use maximise person carrying capacity of the road network July 27, 2004 33
Operating Challenges Wise and effective use of the power to manipulate signal operation No killing time in detection zones No operator change over in detection zones July 27, 2004 34
Operating Challenges Optimize transit operations to maximize signal priority benefits reduce service frequency (larger vehicles or Multiple Unit operation) reduce passenger service delays (Proof of Payment) July 27, 2004 35